Fallen Heroes

Late last month, a news item about a fire here in Worcester recently caught my attention. In an attempt to rescue a woman from the third floor of her burning home, twelve firefighters were injured, and eight were sent for treatment to area hospitals. The woman was pulled unconscious from the flaming chaos, but failed to regain consciousness as rescuers tried to resuscitate her.

I'm glad to report that there have been no more news items about the firefighters injured in last month's fire. It is most likely that they have recovered. I am relieved that none of them were more seriously injured. However, I am sure that these brave people were committed to rescue victims from the fire at all costs.

It is no surprise to any resident of Worcester that they have such a dedicated firefighting force. Our city has a history of valiant firefighters. Almost eight years have passed since the tragic Worcester warehouse fire of 1999. In an attempt to find and rescue some homeless people from a fire, six Worcester firefighters lost their lives.

So, though it is still some time until the official International Firefighter Appreciation Day, which is the first Sunday in May, I would like to personally pay tribute to all the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to save us from fire and other peril--not just those in Worcester, but the world over.



graphics from http://fallen-heroes.org/
and http://www.mdausa.org/news/030116stockseth.html